Sudan is experiencing a humanitarian crisis with a collapse of healthcare services, surging cholera and dengue fever cases, and alarming levels of hunger due to ongoing conflict. The UN reports over 28,000 cholera cases with significant deaths, predominantly in Kassala state. Heavy rain has exacerbated diseases, while violence and blockades hinder aid delivery, leading to extreme food insecurity. Up to 80% of health facilities are non-functional, posing further challenges for vaccination and healthcare delivery.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has wreaked havoc on the nation, leading to a devastating humanitarian crisis characterized by a collapse of the healthcare system, surging cholera and dengue fever cases, and alarming rates of hunger. Reports from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicate over 28,000 cholera cases and 836 associated deaths across 11 states between July 22 and October 28, with a higher actual infection rate likely due to under-reporting.
The cholera outbreak was exacerbated by heavy rains that flooded water sources, particularly affecting Kassala state, which alone reported 6,868 cases and 198 fatalities. Concurrently, dengue fever cases escalated in Kassala and Khartoum, with over 4,500 cases and 12 deaths as of late October. Amid this alarming health crisis, a vaccination initiative aims to protect approximately 1.4 million individuals in the worst-affected regions.
Humanitarian actors are simultaneously raising concerns about severe hunger, attributed to blockades and intensifying violence in North Darfur, notably in El Fasher, the last government-held city, which has witnessed unprecedented clashes. The situation has obstructed humanitarian aid deliveries and has left many people, including those in displaced persons camps such as Zamzam, facing acute malnutrition levels exceeding famine thresholds.
As violence against healthcare facilities continues to escalate—with 116 attacks recorded since April 15, resulting in significant casualties—the degradation of Sudan’s healthcare services has reached critical levels. Up to 80% of health facilities in conflict-impacted areas are either non-functional or closed, creating an urgent scenario for child vaccination initiatives and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations are striving to assist millions, reaching an estimated 12.6 million individuals, yet the road ahead remains fraught with impediments due to ongoing conflicts and logistical barriers.
Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict since April 2023, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting has devastated infrastructure and led to significant population displacements, with over 11 million individuals uprooted internally and approximately three million seeking refuge in neighboring countries. The healthcare system has been particularly affected, with rampant disease outbreaks unfolding amidst food insecurity, stemming from logistical delays in aid deliveries and ongoing combat operations.
In conclusion, Sudan faces a multifaceted humanitarian crisis, compounded by rampant disease outbreaks, severe food insecurity, and a deteriorating healthcare infrastructure amid ongoing conflict. The alarming rise in cholera and dengue fever cases illustrates the urgent need for intervention, while humanitarian organizations continue their efforts to provide assistance to the millions affected. Immediate international support is essential to mitigate the escalating risks of famine and further health crises in this war-torn nation.
Original Source: news.un.org
